Black-billed Magpie Near Montague Thursday!

April 7 to Mich-Listers:

Birders,

Early this afternoon I received an email from Dick Smith about a Black-billed Magpie that was seen and photographed on his Oceana County/Muskegon County line farm for at least an hour (ca. 11:15am - 12:15 pm). The bird was in a fenced pasture north of the house, and perched on a post before foraging on the muddy pasture. It finally flew off to the south. Mark Wloch, his wife Kelly, and I drove down about an hour later from Ludington and met with Dick and Cheryl (the photographer), who showed us the location where the bird was seen. Afterwards, the three of us drove/birded to the west, the south, and east of the Smith farm a couple miles each direction. We did not explore northward as the winds were strong out of the north. After 1.5 hours of exploring through open farmlands and sparsely treed habitats, we returned home without any luck. 

Directions: The Smith farm house is red and occurs on the north side of Skeels Road, while a green-roofed barn is on the south (opposite) side of the road. Skeels Road dead ends 1/2 mile to the west, and all of the houses/buildings are owned by the Smith's. Though I forgot to get the address, it is easy to find. From the north (as we came), take the Fruitvale exit on southbound US 31 and proceed west four miles on Fruitvale Road to Chase Road. Turn right onto Chase Road and proceed north two miles until it bears to the left and becomes the countyline road (Skeels Road). The Smith's red farm house is a short distance to the west on the right.

I have attached two cropped photos of the BBMA.

Good Luck !

Dave Dister

Ludington

photos by Cheryl Smith